Dalí’s former home city to add portraits and screenings of the artist this summer

Figueres, in northern Catalonia, already boasts the Dalí Museum and hopes to increase tourism this year

One of the portraits of Salvador Dalí in the city of Figueras in the summer of 2021 (by Gemm Tubert)
One of the portraits of Salvador Dalí in the city of Figueras in the summer of 2021 (by Gemm Tubert) / ACN

ACN | Figueras

June 14, 2021 04:04 PM

Salvador Dalí’s captivating presence will be increased this summer in the city of Figueres, north Catalonia, where the artist was born and died. 

The city aims to attract more visitors this tourism season and spread the spirit of the surrealist genius with ten two-meter tall portraits of the artist spread throughout the city, as well as screenings of some of his most iconic works in public spaces. 

The ‘Dalí de Figueres’ campaign adds to the Dalí Museum as part of the city’s attractions related to the painter. 

The additional pieces will be up from July 1 to September 1 in locations such as the Galatea Tower, the city hall building, the casino, and the slaughterhouse. 

In addition, routes linked to genius will be organized, such as a theatrical one following the story of Dalí as a child, and another related to wine tourism.

In parallel, the Figueres commerce board will put on a special shopping night on Thursdays with a craft market accompanied by musical performances. Organizers want to up the tourism activity in the area as well as "reactivate" the city culturally and touristically.

Thursdays, in fact, were a “special” day for the genius. The director of the Dalí Museums, Montse Aguer, said that on some occasions the eccentric artist had declined to speak with journalists because in Figueres "there was a market on Thursdays." 

Aguer says that Dalí decided to build his museum theatre in Figueres, despite receiving many other offers from other cities and areas. "He remained faithful to the city that saw him grow and that marked him with some landmarks," she explained.

The campaign is promoted in conjunction with the City Council and the Dalí Foundation. "This summer, the city will breathe Dalí," the mayor of Figueres, Agnès Lladó, said.